JP6908000B2 - High frequency circuit - Google Patents

High frequency circuit Download PDF

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JP6908000B2
JP6908000B2 JP2018097349A JP2018097349A JP6908000B2 JP 6908000 B2 JP6908000 B2 JP 6908000B2 JP 2018097349 A JP2018097349 A JP 2018097349A JP 2018097349 A JP2018097349 A JP 2018097349A JP 6908000 B2 JP6908000 B2 JP 6908000B2
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frequency band
frequency
band
filter
antenna
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JP2019205007A (en
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篤史 高田
篤史 高田
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Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/005—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges
    • H04B1/0053—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges with common antenna for more than one band
    • H04B1/0057—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges with common antenna for more than one band using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/005—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges
    • H04B1/0064—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges with separate antennas for the more than one band
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
    • H04B1/40—Circuits
    • H04B1/44—Transmit/receive switching
    • H04B1/48—Transmit/receive switching in circuits for connecting transmitter and receiver to a common transmission path, e.g. by energy of transmitter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
    • H04B1/40—Circuits
    • H04B1/44—Transmit/receive switching
    • H04B1/48—Transmit/receive switching in circuits for connecting transmitter and receiver to a common transmission path, e.g. by energy of transmitter
    • H04B2001/485—Transmit/receive switching in circuits for connecting transmitter and receiver to a common transmission path, e.g. by energy of transmitter inhibiting unwanted transmission

Description

本発明は、高周波信号を処理する高周波回路に関する。 The present invention relates to a high frequency circuit that processes a high frequency signal.

従来、複数の周波数帯域（マルチバンド）および複数の無線方式（マルチモード）による通信（以下ではマルチバンド通信と略称する）に用いられる高周波回路が周知である（例えば、特許文献１）。 Conventionally, high frequency circuits used for communication (hereinafter abbreviated as multi-band communication) by a plurality of frequency bands (multi-band) and a plurality of wireless systems (multi-mode) are well known (for example, Patent Document 1).

特許文献１には、アンテナに接続され、互いに異なる通過帯域を有する複数の弾性波フィルタを備えたマルチプレクサが開示されている。 Patent Document 1 discloses a multiplexer which is connected to an antenna and includes a plurality of elastic wave filters having different pass bands.

国際公開第２０１６／２０８６７０号International Publication No. 2016/208670

特許文献１のマルチプレクサを用いることで、アンテナ信号を周波数帯域ごとに分離して１つのアンテナで送受信することができる。これにより、アンテナの共有によるアンテナ数の削減によって携帯端末装置を小型化することができる。 By using the multiplexer of Patent Document 1, the antenna signal can be separated for each frequency band and transmitted / received by one antenna. As a result, the mobile terminal device can be miniaturized by reducing the number of antennas by sharing the antenna.

昨今、より高い周波数帯域を用いる通信方式の策定および対応する周波数帯域の開放が進んでいる。例えば、３ＧＰＰ（Ｔｈｉｒｄ Ｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎ Ｐａｒｔｎｅｒｓｈｉｐ Ｐｒｏｊｅｃｔ）によって策定が進められている５ＧＮＲ（５ｔｈ Ｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎ Ｎｅｗ Ｒａｄｉｏ）がある。５ＧＮＲ（以下では単にＮＲとも言う）では、３ＧＨｚ以上６ＧＨｚ未満の周波数帯域（いわゆるサブ６）が早期に利用可能になると期待されている。 Recently, the development of communication methods using higher frequency bands and the opening of corresponding frequency bands are progressing. For example, there is 5GNR (5th Generation New Radio), which is being formulated by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). With 5G NR (hereinafter simply referred to as NR), it is expected that a frequency band of 3 GHz or more and less than 6 GHz (so-called sub 6) will be available at an early stage.

現在の技術では３ＧＨｚ以上の信号を分離できる弾性波フィルタ（弾性表面波フィルタおよびバルク弾性波フィルタを含む）は実現されていない。そのため、ＮＲのサブ６では、アンテナ数を削減するために、弾性波フィルタを用いたマルチプレクサを利用することができない。 Current technology has not realized an elastic wave filter (including an elastic surface wave filter and a bulk elastic wave filter) capable of separating signals of 3 GHz or higher. Therefore, in sub 6 of NR, a multiplexer using an elastic wave filter cannot be used in order to reduce the number of antennas.

そこで、本発明は、３ＧＨｚ以上の複数の周波数帯域でのマルチバンド通信に用いられかつアンテナ数の増加を抑えた高周波回路を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency circuit that is used for multi-band communication in a plurality of frequency bands of 3 GHz or higher and that suppresses an increase in the number of antennas.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明の一態様に係る高周波回路は、第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域を含むマルチバンドによる無線通信に用いられる高周波回路であって、前記第１周波数帯域および前記第２周波数帯域はいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上でありかつ互いに重複せず、前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域との間隙は前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域とを合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下であり、前記高周波回路は、第１アンテナと、第２アンテナと、前記第１周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第１フィルタおよび前記第１フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第３フィルタを有し前記第１アンテナに接続されている第１マルチプレクサと、前記第２周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第２フィルタおよび前記第２フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第４フィルタを有し前記第２アンテナに接続されている第２マルチプレクサと、を備える。 In order to achieve the above object, the high frequency circuit according to one aspect of the present invention is a high frequency circuit used for multi-band wireless communication including a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and the first frequency band and the high frequency circuit are used. The second frequency bands are all 3 GHz or higher and do not overlap with each other, and the gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band is a representative frequency obtained by combining the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The high frequency circuit has a first antenna, a second antenna, a first filter including the first frequency band in the passing band, and a third filter having a passing band different from that of the first filter. The second antenna has a first multiplexer connected to the first antenna, a second filter including the second frequency band in the pass band, and a fourth filter having a pass band different from that of the second filter. A second multiplexer connected to is provided.

本発明に係る高周波回路にあっては、第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域がいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上であるため、第１周波数帯域の信号と第２周波数帯域の信号とを弾性波フィルタで分離することができない。また、第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域との間隙は第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域とを合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下と狭いため、第１周波数帯域の信号と第２周波数帯域の信号とをＬＣフィルタで分離することも困難である。 In the high frequency circuit according to the present invention, since both the first frequency band and the second frequency band are 3 GHz or more, the signal in the first frequency band and the signal in the second frequency band are separated by an elastic wave filter. Can't. Further, since the gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band is as narrow as 10% or less of the representative frequency including the first frequency band and the second frequency band, the signal of the first frequency band and the second frequency band It is also difficult to separate the signal from the signal with an LC filter.

そこで、本発明に係る高周波回路では、第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナを設け、第１周波数帯域の信号は第１アンテナで送受信し、第２周波数帯域の信号は第２アンテナで送受信している。つまり、弾性波フィルタ、ＬＣフィルタのいずれのフィルタでも困難な第１周波数帯域の信号と第２周波数帯域の信号との分離を、アンテナを分けることによって達成している。 Therefore, in the high frequency circuit according to the present invention, a first antenna and a second antenna are provided, signals in the first frequency band are transmitted and received by the first antenna, and signals in the second frequency band are transmitted and received by the second antenna. That is, the separation of the signal in the first frequency band and the signal in the second frequency band, which is difficult with either the elastic wave filter or the LC filter, is achieved by separating the antennas.

それと共に、第１アンテナを第１周波数帯域と第３周波数帯域とで共用し、かつ第２アンテナを第２周波数帯域と第４周波数帯域とで共用している。つまり、第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域とを組み合わせるのではなく、マルチプレクサで信号を分離できる別の周波数帯域の組み合わせでアンテナを共用することによって、周波数帯域数の増加に対するアンテナ数の増加を抑えている。 At the same time, the first antenna is shared by the first frequency band and the third frequency band, and the second antenna is shared by the second frequency band and the fourth frequency band. In other words, instead of combining the first frequency band and the second frequency band, by sharing the antenna with another frequency band combination that can separate signals with a multiplexer, the increase in the number of antennas with respect to the increase in the number of frequency bands is suppressed. ing.

その結果、３ＧＨｚ以上の複数の周波数帯域でのマルチバンド通信に用いられかつアンテナ数の増加を抑えた高周波回路が得られる。 As a result, a high-frequency circuit that is used for multi-band communication in a plurality of frequency bands of 3 GHz or higher and that suppresses an increase in the number of antennas can be obtained.

実施の形態に係る高周波回路の構成の一例を示す機能ブロック図。The functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the high frequency circuit which concerns on embodiment. 実施の形態に係る高周波回路で用いられる周波数帯域の一例を示す図。The figure which shows an example of the frequency band used in the high frequency circuit which concerns on embodiment. 実施の形態に係るフロントエンド回路の構成の一例を示す機能ブロック図。The functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the front-end circuit which concerns on embodiment. 実施の形態に係るフロントエンド回路の構成の一例を示す機能ブロック図。The functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the front-end circuit which concerns on embodiment.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、実施の形態および図面を用いて詳細に説明する。なお、以下で説明する実施の形態は、いずれも包括的または具体的な例を示すものである。以下の実施の形態で示される数値、形状、材料、構成要素、構成要素の配置および接続形態などは、一例であり、本発明を限定する主旨ではない。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments and drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement of components, connection modes, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

（実施の形態）
実施の形態では、３ＧＨｚ以上の複数の周波数帯域でのマルチバンド通信に用いられ、かつアンテナ数の増加を抑えた高周波回路について説明する。以下では、前述したＮＲのサブ６における複数の周波数帯域および従来の通信規格における複数の周波数帯域でのマルチバンド通信に用いられる高周波回路の例を挙げて説明する。 (Embodiment)
In the embodiment, a high frequency circuit used for multiband communication in a plurality of frequency bands of 3 GHz or more and suppressing an increase in the number of antennas will be described. In the following, an example of a high frequency circuit used for multiband communication in a plurality of frequency bands in the above-mentioned sub 6 of NR and a plurality of frequency bands in the conventional communication standard will be described.

図１は、実施の形態に係る高周波回路の機能的な構成の一例を示すブロック図である。図１に示されるように、高周波回路１は、アンテナ１１〜１８、マルチプレクサ２１〜２８、フロントエンド（ＦＥ）回路３１〜４２およびＲＦ信号処理回路５０を備えている。 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a high frequency circuit according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the high frequency circuit 1 includes antennas 11-18, multiplexers 21-28, front-end (FE) circuits 31-42, and RF signal processing circuit 50.

アンテナ１１〜１８は、アンテナ信号を送信および受信する。 Antennas 11-18 transmit and receive antenna signals.

マルチプレクサ２１〜２８は、通過帯域が互いに異なる複数のフィルタで構成されている。各フィルタに付した記号は、フィルタごとの通過帯域に含まれる周波数帯域を表す。つまり、各フィルタは、フィルタごとの周波数帯域を追加帯域に含むローパスフィルタ、バンドパスフィルタ、またはハイパスフィルタである。複数のフィルタの一端同士は互いに接続され、アンテナ１１〜１８に接続されている。マルチプレクサ２１〜２８は、アンテナ信号をフィルタごとの周波数帯域の信号に分離する。 The multiplexers 21 to 28 are composed of a plurality of filters having different pass bands. The symbol attached to each filter represents the frequency band included in the pass band of each filter. That is, each filter is a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, or a high-pass filter that includes the frequency band of each filter as an additional band. One ends of the plurality of filters are connected to each other and are connected to the antennas 11 to 18. The multiplexers 21 to 28 separate the antenna signal into signals in the frequency band for each filter.

ＦＥ回路３１〜４２は、マルチプレクサ２１〜２８に接続されている。ＦＥ回路３１〜４２は、マルチプレクサ２１〜２８を介して接続されたアンテナ１１〜１８のアンテナ信号に対し、整合、増幅および送受信分離のうち少なくとも１以上を含む処理を行う。 The FE circuits 31 to 42 are connected to the multiplexers 21 to 28. The FE circuits 31 to 42 perform processing including at least one of matching, amplification, and transmission / reception separation for the antenna signals of the antennas 11 to 18 connected via the multiplexers 21 to 28.

ＲＦ信号処理回路５０は、ＦＥ回路３１〜４２に接続され、ＦＥ回路３１〜４２を介して接続されたアンテナ１１〜１８のアンテナ信号に対し、変調および復調のうち少なくとも一方を含む処理を行う。ＲＦ信号処理回路５０は、高周波集積回路（ＲＦＩＣ）で構成されてもよく、当該高周波集積回路は、互いに異なる通信方式に対応する複数のチップを含んでいてもよい。 The RF signal processing circuit 50 performs processing including at least one of modulation and demodulation on the antenna signals of the antennas 11 to 18 connected to the FE circuits 31 to 42 and connected via the FE circuits 31 to 42. The RF signal processing circuit 50 may be composed of a high frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and the high frequency integrated circuit may include a plurality of chips corresponding to different communication methods.

図２は、高周波回路１で用いられる周波数帯域の一例を示す図である。図２には、図１で各フィルタに付した記号に対応して、周波数範囲、および当該周波数範囲に含まれる通信バンドの具体例が示されている。図１に示される各フィルタは、記号で示される周波数帯域を通過帯域に含んでいる。 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a frequency band used in the high frequency circuit 1. FIG. 2 shows a frequency range and specific examples of communication bands included in the frequency range, corresponding to the symbols attached to each filter in FIG. Each filter shown in FIG. 1 includes a frequency band indicated by a symbol in the pass band.

通信バンドの具体例として、ＧＳＭ（登録商標）（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ ｆｏｒ Ｍｏｂｉｌｅ ｃｏｍｍｕｎｉｃａｔｉｏｎｓ）、ＬＴＥ（Ｌｏｎｇ Ｔｅｒｍ Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ）、ＮＲ、ＷＬＡＮ（Ｗｉｒｅｌｅｓｓ Ｌｏｃａｌ Ａｒｅａ Ｎｅｔｗｏｒｋ）、Ｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）、ＧＰＳ（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ Ｐｏｓｉｔｉｏｎｉｎｇ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ）およびＧＬＯＮＡＳＳ（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ Ｎａｖｉｇａｔｉｏｎ Ｓａｔｅｌｌｉｔｅ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ）で用いられる主な周波数帯域の名前を列挙している。 Specific examples of the communication band include GSM (registered trademark) (Global System for Mobile communications), LTE (Long Term Evolution), NR, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The names of the main frequency bands used in GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) are listed.

高周波回路１は、図２に列挙される通信バンドの一部を処理してもよく、すべてを処理してもよく、また、図２に挙げられていないさらに別の通信バンドを処理してもよい。 The high frequency circuit 1 may process some of the communication bands listed in FIG. 2, may process all, or may process yet another communication band not listed in FIG. good.

ＦＥ回路の構成について、ＦＥ回路３２、４０、４１の例を挙げて説明する。 The configuration of the FE circuit will be described with reference to examples of the FE circuits 32, 40, and 41.

図３は、ＦＥ回路３２の構成の一例を示す機能ブロック図である。図３には、ＦＥ回路３２の内部的な構成とともに、図１のＡ部の構成が示されている。図３に示されるように、ＦＥ回路３２は、スイッチ１０１〜１０５、デュプレクサ１１１、１１２、フィルタ１２１、１２２、パワーアンプ１３１〜１３３、ローノイズアンプ１４１〜１４３を有する。 FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the FE circuit 32. FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the FE circuit 32 as well as the configuration of part A in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the FE circuit 32 includes switches 101-105, duplexers 111, 112, filters 121, 122, power amplifiers 131-133, and low noise amplifiers 141-143.

スイッチ１０１、１０２、１０３、デュプレクサ１１１、１１２、パワーアンプ１３１、およびローノイズアンプ１４１は、周波数帯域ＭＨに含まれる通信バンド（例えば、ＬＴＥのバンドＢ１およびＢ３）の信号に対し増幅および送受信分離を含む処理を行う。 The switches 101, 102, 103, duplexers 111, 112, power amplifier 131, and low noise amplifier 141 include amplification and transmission / reception separation for signals in communication bands (eg, LTE bands B1 and B3) included in the frequency band MH. Perform processing.

フィルタ１２１、スイッチ１０４、パワーアンプ１３２、およびローノイズアンプ１４２は、周波数帯域ＵＨ１に含まれる通信バンド（例えば、ＮＲのバンドｎ７７およびｎ７８）の信号に対し整合、増幅および送受信分離を含む処理を行う。 The filter 121, the switch 104, the power amplifier 132, and the low noise amplifier 142 perform processing including matching, amplification, and transmission / reception separation for signals in the communication band (for example, NR bands n77 and n78) included in the frequency band UH1.

フィルタ１２２、スイッチ１０５、パワーアンプ１３３、およびローノイズアンプ１４３は、周波数帯域ＵＨ２に含まれる通信バンド（例えば、ＮＲのバンドｎ７９）の信号に対し整合、増幅および送受信分離を含む処理を行う。 The filter 122, the switch 105, the power amplifier 133, and the low noise amplifier 143 perform processing including matching, amplification, and transmission / reception separation for signals in the communication band (for example, NR band n79) included in the frequency band UH2.

図３に示されるフィルタはすべてＬＣフィルタであり、ＬＴＣＣ（Ｌｏｗ Ｔｅｍｐｅｒａｔｕｒｅ Ｃｏ−ｆｉｒｅｄ Ｃｅｒａｍｉｃｓ）積層体を利用したチップ部品またはＬＴＣＣ多層基板の内蔵回路（以下、ＬＴＣＣ技術と総称する）で構成されている。 The filters shown in FIG. 3 are all LC filters, and are composed of chip parts using an LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics) laminate or a built-in circuit of an LTCC multilayer substrate (hereinafter collectively referred to as LTCC technology). ..

図４は、ＦＥ回路４０、４１の構成の一例を示す機能ブロック図である。図４には、ＦＥ回路４０、４１の内部的な構成とともに、図１のＢ部の構成が示されている。図４に示されるように、ＦＥ回路４０は、フィルタ１２３〜１２６およびローノイズアンプ１４４、１４５を有する。ＦＥ回路４１は、フィルタ１２７、スイッチ１０６、パワーアンプ１３４およびローノイズアンプ１４６を有する。 FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the FE circuits 40 and 41. FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the FE circuits 40 and 41 as well as the configuration of the B portion of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the FE circuit 40 has filters 123-126 and low noise amplifiers 144 and 145. The FE circuit 41 includes a filter 127, a switch 106, a power amplifier 134, and a low noise amplifier 146.

ＦＥ回路４０において、フィルタ１２３、１２４およびローノイズアンプ１４４は、ＧＰＳのバンドＬ１またはＧＬＯＮＡＳＳのバンドＬ１の信号に対し整合および増幅を含む処理を行う。また、フィルタ１２５、１２６およびローノイズアンプ１４５は、ＧＰＳのバンドＬ５の信号に対し整合および増幅を含む処理を行う。 In the FE circuit 40, the filters 123, 124 and the low noise amplifier 144 perform processing including matching and amplification on the signals of GPS band L1 or GLONASS band L1. Further, the filters 125 and 126 and the low noise amplifier 145 perform processing including matching and amplification on the GPS band L5 signal.

ＦＥ回路４１において、フィルタ１２７、スイッチ１０６、パワーアンプ１３４およびローノイズアンプ１４６は、無線ＬＡＮの２．４ＧＨｚ帯の信号に対し整合、増幅および送受信分離を含む処理を行う。ＦＥ回路４１では、図示を省略している信号経路において、例えば、Ｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）の信号をさらに処理してもよい。 In the FE circuit 41, the filter 127, the switch 106, the power amplifier 134, and the low noise amplifier 146 perform processing including matching, amplification, and transmission / reception separation for the 2.4 GHz band signal of the wireless LAN. In the FE circuit 41, for example, a Bluetooth® signal may be further processed in a signal path (not shown).

図４に示されるフィルタのうち、マルチプレクサ２７におけるフィルタＬ１、Ｌ５、およびＦＥ回路４０内のフィルタ１２３〜１２６は弾性波フィルタ（弾性表面波フィルタおよびバルク弾性波フィルタを含む）である。その他のフィルタはＬＴＣＣ技術で構成されたＬＣフィルタである。 Among the filters shown in FIG. 4, the filters L1 and L5 in the multiplexer 27 and the filters 123 to 126 in the FE circuit 40 are surface acoustic wave filters (including a surface acoustic wave filter and a bulk acoustic wave filter). The other filter is an LC filter constructed by LTCC technology.

以上のように構成された高周波回路１の効果について、アンテナを共用する周波数帯域の組み合わせの観点から説明する。 The effect of the high frequency circuit 1 configured as described above will be described from the viewpoint of the combination of frequency bands sharing the antenna.

再び図２を参照して、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２はいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上でありかつ互いに重複しない。ここで、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２を合わせた代表周波数は、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２を包含する周波数範囲に含まれる適宜の周波数で定義される。周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２を合わせた代表周波数は、例えば、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２の低いほうの下限値３３００ＭＨｚとしてもよく、高いほうの上限値４９９０ＭＨｚとしてもよい。いずれにしても、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２の間隙２００ＭＨｚは、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２を合わせた代表周波数（３３００ＭＨｚ〜４９９０ＭＨｚ）の１０％（３３０ＭＨｚ〜４９９ＭＨｚ）以下である。 With reference to FIG. 2 again, the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 are both 3 GHz or higher and do not overlap with each other. Here, the representative frequency including the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 is defined by an appropriate frequency included in the frequency range including the frequency bands UH1 and UH2. The representative frequency including the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 may be, for example, the lower lower limit value of 3300 MHz or the higher upper limit value of 4990 MHz of the frequency bands UH1 and UH2. In any case, the gap of 200 MHz between the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 is 10% (330 MHz to 499 MHz) or less of the representative frequency (3300 MHz to 4990 MHz) including the frequency bands UH1 and UH2.

つまり、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２は、それぞれ第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域の一例である。 That is, the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 are examples of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, respectively.

周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２がいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上であるため、周波数帯域ＵＨ１の信号と周波数帯域ＵＨ２の信号とを弾性波フィルタで分離することができない。また、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２の間隙が狭い（周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２を合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下である）ため、周波数帯域ＵＨ１の信号と周波数帯域ＵＨ２の信号とをＬＣフィルタで分離することも困難である。 Since the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 are both 3 GHz or higher, the signal of the frequency band UH1 and the signal of the frequency band UH2 cannot be separated by the elastic wave filter. Further, since the gap between the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 is narrow (10% or less of the representative frequency of the combined frequency bands UH1 and UH2), the signal of the frequency band UH1 and the signal of the frequency band UH2 should be separated by an LC filter. Is also difficult.

そこで、図１に示されるように、高周波回路１では、アンテナ１１〜１８を設け、周波数帯域ＵＨ１の信号はアンテナ１１、１４、１５、１８で処理し、周波数帯域ＵＨ２の信号はアンテナ１２、１３、１６、１７で処理している。つまり、弾性波フィルタ、ＬＣフィルタのいずれのフィルタでも困難な周波数帯域ＵＨ１の信号と周波数帯域ＵＨ２の信号との分離を、アンテナを分けることによって達成している。ここで、アンテナ１１、１４、１５、１８が第１アンテナの一例であり、アンテナ１２、１３、１６、１７が第２アンテナの一例である。 Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, in the high frequency circuit 1, antennas 11 to 18 are provided, signals in the frequency band UH1 are processed by the antennas 11, 14, 15, and 18, and signals in the frequency band UH2 are processed by the antennas 12, 13. , 16 and 17. That is, the separation of the signal in the frequency band UH1 and the signal in the frequency band UH2, which is difficult for both the elastic wave filter and the LC filter, is achieved by separating the antennas. Here, the antennas 11, 14, 15, and 18 are examples of the first antenna, and the antennas 12, 13, 16 and 17 are examples of the second antenna.

それと共に、アンテナ１１、１４、１５、１８を周波数帯域ＵＨ１と周波数帯域Ｌ、ＭＨ、ＷＬ５とで共用し、かつアンテナ１２、１３、１６、１７を周波数帯域ＵＨ２と周波数帯域ＭＨ、Ｌ１、Ｌ５、ＷＬ２とで共用している。つまり、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２を組み合わせるのではなく、マルチプレクサ２１〜２８で信号を分離できる別の周波数帯域の組み合わせでアンテナ１１〜１８を共用することによって、周波数帯域数の増加に対するアンテナ数の増加を抑えている。 At the same time, the antennas 11, 14, 15 and 18 are shared by the frequency bands UH1 and the frequency bands L, MH and WL5, and the antennas 12, 13, 16 and 17 are shared by the frequency bands UH2 and the frequency bands MH, L1 and L5. It is shared with WL2. That is, instead of combining the frequency bands UH1 and UH2, the antennas 11 to 18 are shared by another frequency band combination capable of separating signals by the multiplexers 21 to 28, so that the number of antennas increases with respect to the increase in the number of frequency bands. I'm holding back.

その結果、３ＧＨｚ以上の複数の周波数帯域でのマルチバンド通信に用いられかつアンテナ数の増加を抑えた高周波回路１が得られる。 As a result, a high-frequency circuit 1 that is used for multi-band communication in a plurality of frequency bands of 3 GHz or higher and that suppresses an increase in the number of antennas can be obtained.

なお、上述の効果は、アンテナ１１、１４、１５、１８のうちのいずれか１本とアンテナ１２、１３、１６、１７のうちのいずれか１本とを含む高周波回路１の部分においても成り立つ。つまり、上述の効果は、第１アンテナと第２アンテナとを１本ずつ含む高周波回路において成り立つ。 The above-mentioned effect also holds true in the portion of the high-frequency circuit 1 including any one of the antennas 11, 14, 15, and 18 and any one of the antennas 12, 13, 16 and 17. That is, the above-mentioned effect is established in a high-frequency circuit including one first antenna and one second antenna.

例えば、高周波回路１のアンテナ１１、１７を含む部分に着目すれば、周波数帯域ＵＨ１の信号と周波数帯域ＵＨ２の信号との分離を、アンテナ１１、１７を分けることによって達成している。それと共に、マルチプレクサ２１で分離可能な周波数帯域ＵＨ１と周波数帯域Ｌ、ＭＨとでアンテナ１１を共用し、マルチプレクサ２７で分離可能な周波数帯域ＵＨ２と周波数帯域Ｌ１、Ｌ５、ＷＬ２とでアンテナ１７を共用している。これにより、７つの周波数帯域を２本のアンテナで送受信し、周波数帯域数の増加に対するアンテナ数の増加を抑えている。 For example, focusing on the portion of the high frequency circuit 1 including the antennas 11 and 17, the separation of the signal of the frequency band UH1 and the signal of the frequency band UH2 is achieved by separating the antennas 11 and 17. At the same time, the antenna 11 is shared by the frequency band UH1 separable by the multiplexer 21 and the frequency bands L and MH, and the antenna 17 is shared by the frequency band UH2 separable by the multiplexer 27 and the frequency bands L1, L5 and WL2. ing. As a result, the seven frequency bands are transmitted and received by the two antennas, and the increase in the number of antennas with respect to the increase in the number of frequency bands is suppressed.

高周波回路１では、第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナに対応するアンテナをそれぞれ４本ずつ設けたことで、複数のアンテナを用いて通信性能を向上する各種の技術の適用が可能となる。そのような技術には、例えば、チャネル幅向上の技術であるＣＡ（Ｃａｒｒｉｅｒ Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｉｏｎ）、異なる基地局間を通信する技術であるＤＣ（Ｄｕａｌ Ｃｏｎｎｅｃｔｉｖｉｔｙ）、および複数アンテナの使用によるデータレート向上技術であるＭＩＭＯ（Ｍｕｌｔｉｐｌｅ Ｉｎｐｕｔ Ｍｕｌｔｉｐｌｅ Ｏｕｔｐｕｔ）が含まれる。 In the high-frequency circuit 1, by providing four antennas corresponding to the first antenna and four antennas corresponding to the second antenna, it is possible to apply various techniques for improving communication performance by using a plurality of antennas. Such technologies include, for example, CA (Carrier Aggregation), which is a technology for improving channel width, DC (Dual Connectivity), which is a technology for communicating between different base stations, and data rate improving technology by using a plurality of antennas. MIMO (Multiple Antenna Multiple Output) is included.

また、高周波回路１では、アンテナを共用する周波数帯域の組み合わせに応じて、次のような効果が得られる。以下では、便宜のため、マルチプレクサに含まれるフィルタを、当該フィルタの通過帯域に含まれる周波数帯域の記号と同じ記号で参照する。 Further, in the high frequency circuit 1, the following effects can be obtained depending on the combination of frequency bands sharing the antenna. In the following, for convenience, the filter included in the multiplexer is referred to by the same symbol as the frequency band symbol included in the pass band of the filter.

第１の例として、マルチプレクサ２１はフィルタＬ、ＭＨ、ＵＨ１を有し、マルチプレクサ２３はフィルタＵＨ２、ＷＬ２を有している。これにより、アンテナ１１は周波数帯域Ｌ、ＭＨ、ＵＨ１で共用され、アンテナ１３は周波数帯域ＵＨ２、ＷＬ２で共用されている。 As a first example, the multiplexer 21 has filters L, MH, UH1, and the multiplexer 23 has filters UH2, WL2. As a result, the antenna 11 is shared by the frequency bands L, MH, and UH1, and the antenna 13 is shared by the frequency bands UH2 and WL2.

周波数帯域Ｌ、ＷＬ２、ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２は、低い周波数帯域から高い周波数帯域へ、この順に並んでいる。つまり、周波数帯域ＵＨ１とともにアンテナ１１を共用する周波数帯域Ｌが、周波数帯域ＵＨ２とともにアンテナ１３を共用する周波数帯域ＷＬ２より低い。言い換えれば、高周波回路１では、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２の組、および周波数帯域Ｌ、ＷＬ２の組の中から、より低い周波数帯域ＵＨ１、Ｌ同士でアンテナ１１を共用し、より高い周波数帯域ＵＨ２、ＷＬ２同士で第２アンテナ１３を共用している。 The frequency bands L, WL2, UH1, and UH2 are arranged in this order from the low frequency band to the high frequency band. That is, the frequency band L that shares the antenna 11 with the frequency band UH1 is lower than the frequency band WL2 that shares the antenna 13 with the frequency band UH2. In other words, in the high frequency circuit 1, the antenna 11 is shared by the lower frequency bands UH1 and L from the set of the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 and the set of the frequency bands L and WL2, and the higher frequency bands UH2 and WL2 are shared. The second antenna 13 is shared by each other.

第１の例では、アンテナ１１、１３がそれぞれ第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナの一例であり、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２、Ｌ、ＷＬ２がそれぞれ第１周波数帯域、第２周波数帯域、第３周波数帯域、第４周波数帯域の一例である。また、マルチプレクサ２１のフィルタＵＨ１、Ｌが第１フィルタ、第３フィルタの一例であり、マルチプレクサ２３のフィルタＵＨ２、ＷＬ２が第２フィルタ、第４フィルタの一例である。 In the first example, the antennas 11 and 13 are examples of the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively, and the frequency bands UH1, UH2, L, and WL2 are the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the third frequency band, respectively. This is an example of the fourth frequency band. Further, the filters UH1 and L of the multiplexer 21 are examples of the first filter and the third filter, and the filters UH2 and WL2 of the multiplexer 23 are examples of the second filter and the fourth filter.

つまり、アンテナ１１、１３をそれぞれ第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナとして見たとき、第３フィルタは第１周波数帯域より低い第３周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、第４フィルタは第２周波数帯域より低い第４周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、第１周波数帯域が第２周波数帯域より低い場合に第３周波数帯域は第４周波数帯域より低いという限定が成り立つ。 That is, when the antennas 11 and 13 are viewed as the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively, the third filter includes the third frequency band lower than the first frequency band in the passing band, and the fourth filter is lower than the second frequency band. When the fourth frequency band is included in the passing band and the first frequency band is lower than the second frequency band, the limitation that the third frequency band is lower than the fourth frequency band is established.

比較のため、第１の例とは逆の組み合わせで、アンテナ１１を周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＷＬ２で共用し、かつアンテナ１３を周波数帯域ＵＨ２、Ｌで共用することを考える。この場合、アンテナ１１で送受信される周波数帯域の間隙は縮小し、かつアンテナ１３で送受信される周波数帯域の全幅は拡大する。そのため、アンテナ１１で送受信される信号の分離が難しくなるとともに、アンテナ１３に広い周波数カバレッジが要求される。 For comparison, consider sharing the antenna 11 in the frequency bands UH1 and WL2 and sharing the antenna 13 in the frequency bands UH2 and L in the reverse combination of the first example. In this case, the gap of the frequency band transmitted / received by the antenna 11 is reduced, and the entire width of the frequency band transmitted / received by the antenna 13 is expanded. Therefore, it becomes difficult to separate the signals transmitted and received by the antenna 11, and the antenna 13 is required to have a wide frequency coverage.

これに対し、第１の例の組み合わせによれば、アンテナ１１およびアンテナ１３の双方で送受信される周波数帯域の間隙が均等に広がるとともに全幅が均等に縮小するので、アンテナ１１、１３の双方で信号の分離および周波数カバレッジを最適化できる。なお、この効果は、アンテナ１１、１３の例には限らず、２つのアンテナの各々を共用する周波数帯域を周波数順の並びを考慮して組み合わせることによって、どのアンテナについても得られる。 On the other hand, according to the combination of the first example, since the gap of the frequency band transmitted and received by both the antenna 11 and the antenna 13 is uniformly widened and the entire width is uniformly reduced, the signals are signaled by both the antennas 11 and 13. Separation and frequency coverage can be optimized. It should be noted that this effect is not limited to the examples of the antennas 11 and 13, and can be obtained for any antenna by combining the frequency bands sharing each of the two antennas in consideration of the arrangement in the frequency order.

また、第２の例として、マルチプレクサ２４はフィルタＵＨ１、ＷＬ５を有している。これにより、アンテナ１４は周波数帯域ＵＨ２、ＷＬ５で共用されている。つまり、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２のうち周波数帯域ＷＬ５との間隙がより広い周波数帯域ＵＨ１と周波数帯域ＷＬ５との組み合わせでアンテナ１４を共用している。 Further, as a second example, the multiplexer 24 has filters UH1 and WL5. As a result, the antenna 14 is shared by the frequency bands UH2 and WL5. That is, the antenna 14 is shared by the combination of the frequency band UH1 and the frequency band WL5 having a wider gap between the frequency bands UH1 and UH2 and the frequency band WL5.

第２の例では、アンテナ１４が第１アンテナの一例であり、周波数帯域ＵＨ１、ＵＨ２、ＷＬ５がそれぞれ第１周波数帯域、第２周波数帯域、第３周波数帯域の一例である。また、マルチプレクサ２４のフィルタＷＬ５が第３フィルタの一例である。 In the second example, the antenna 14 is an example of the first antenna, and the frequency bands UH1, UH2, and WL5 are examples of the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and the third frequency band, respectively. Further, the filter WL5 of the multiplexer 24 is an example of the third filter.

つまり、アンテナ１４を第１アンテナとして見たとき、第３フィルタは第３周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、前記第１周波数帯域と前記第３周波数帯域との間隙は、前記第２周波数帯域と前記第３周波数帯域との間隙より広いという限定が成り立つ。 That is, when the antenna 14 is viewed as the first antenna, the third filter includes the third frequency band in the passing band, and the gap between the first frequency band and the third frequency band is the second frequency band and the said. The limitation that it is wider than the gap with the third frequency band holds.

このように、第２の例の組み合わせによれば、間隙がより狭い周波数帯域ＵＨ２と周波数帯域ＷＬ５とを組み合わせる場合と比べて、分離すべき周波数帯域の間隙がより広くなるので、信号の分離が容易になる。なお、この効果は、アンテナ１４の例には限らず、間隙がより狭い周波数帯域の組み合わせでアンテナを共用することによって、どのアンテナについても得られる。 As described above, according to the combination of the second example, the gap of the frequency band to be separated becomes wider than the case of combining the frequency band UH2 having a narrower gap and the frequency band WL5, so that the signal can be separated. It will be easier. Note that this effect is not limited to the example of the antenna 14, and can be obtained for any antenna by sharing the antenna with a combination of frequency bands having a narrower gap.

前述したとおり、高周波回路１では、間隙が過度に狭くならない周波数帯域の組み合わせでアンテナを共用している。そのため、ＬＣフィルタで分離できる程度に間隙が広い周波数帯域を組み合わせることで、弾性波フィルタに比べて低損失かつ低コストのＬＣフィルタでマルチプレクサを構成することができる（例えば、図３）。 As described above, in the high frequency circuit 1, the antenna is shared by a combination of frequency bands in which the gap is not excessively narrowed. Therefore, by combining frequency bands having a wide gap so that they can be separated by an LC filter, a multiplexer can be configured with an LC filter having lower loss and lower cost than an elastic wave filter (for example, FIG. 3).

間隙が狭くＬＣフィルタで分離すると損失が大きくなる周波数帯域を組み合わせる場合のみ弾性波フィルタを用いてマルチプレクサを構成してもよい（例えば、図４）。弾性波フィルタを用いることで、ＬＣフィルタと比べて間隙がより狭い周波数帯域の分離が可能となる。 A multiplexer may be configured using an elastic wave filter only when a frequency band having a narrow gap and a large loss when separated by an LC filter is combined (for example, FIG. 4). By using an elastic wave filter, it is possible to separate a frequency band having a narrower gap than an LC filter.

マルチプレクサに弾性波フィルタを用いる場合、弾性波フィルタに接続されるＥＦ回路内のフィルタも弾性波フィルタで構成してもよい（例えば、図４のフィルタ１２３〜１２６）。この場合、マルチプレクサの弾性波フィルタで、当該弾性波フィルタに直接接続するＥＦ回路内の弾性波フィルタを兼用し、回路要素（部品）の点数を削減することも可能である。例えば、図４の例では、フィルタ１２３、１２５を省略することができる。 When an elastic wave filter is used as the multiplexer, the filter in the EF circuit connected to the elastic wave filter may also be composed of an elastic wave filter (for example, filters 123 to 126 in FIG. 4). In this case, the SAW filter of the multiplexer can also be used as the SAW filter in the EF circuit directly connected to the SAW filter, and the number of circuit elements (components) can be reduced. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the filters 123 and 125 can be omitted.

（まとめ）
本発明の一態様に係る高周波回路は、第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域を含むマルチバンドによる無線通信に用いられる高周波回路であって、前記第１周波数帯域および前記第２周波数帯域はいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上でありかつ互いに重複せず、前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域との間隙は前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域とを合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下であり、前記高周波回路は、第１アンテナと、第２アンテナと、前記第１周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第１フィルタおよび前記第１フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第３フィルタを有し前記第１アンテナに接続されている第１マルチプレクサと、前記第２周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第２フィルタおよび前記第２フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第４フィルタを有し前記第２アンテナに接続されている第２マルチプレクサと、を備える。 (summary)
The high-frequency circuit according to one aspect of the present invention is a high-frequency circuit used for multi-band wireless communication including a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and both the first frequency band and the second frequency band are It is 3 GHz or more and does not overlap with each other, and the gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band is 10% or less of the representative frequency including the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The high-frequency circuit has a first antenna, a second antenna, a first filter including the first frequency band in the passing band, and a third filter having a passing band different from that of the first filter, and is connected to the first antenna. A second multiplexer having a first multiplexer, a second filter including the second frequency band in the pass band, and a fourth filter having a pass band different from that of the second filter, and connected to the second antenna. And.

このような構成によれば、第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域がいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上であるため、第１周波数帯域の信号と第２周波数帯域の信号とは弾性波フィルタで分離できない。また、第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域との間隙は第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域とを合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下と狭いため、第１周波数帯域の信号と第２周波数帯域の信号とをＬＣフィルタで分離することも困難である。 According to such a configuration, since both the first frequency band and the second frequency band are 3 GHz or more, the signal in the first frequency band and the signal in the second frequency band cannot be separated by the elastic wave filter. Further, since the gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band is as narrow as 10% or less of the representative frequency including the first frequency band and the second frequency band, the signal of the first frequency band and the second frequency band It is also difficult to separate the signal from the signal with an LC filter.

そこで、第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナを設け、第１周波数帯域の信号は第１アンテナで送受信し、第２周波数帯域の信号は第２アンテナで送受信している。つまり、弾性波フィルタおよびＬＣフィルタのいずれのフィルタによっても困難な第１周波数帯域の信号と第２周波数帯域の信号との分離を、別々のアンテナを用いることによって実現している。 Therefore, a first antenna and a second antenna are provided, signals in the first frequency band are transmitted and received by the first antenna, and signals in the second frequency band are transmitted and received by the second antenna. That is, the separation of the signal in the first frequency band and the signal in the second frequency band, which is difficult for both the elastic wave filter and the LC filter, is realized by using separate antennas.

それと共に、第１アンテナを第１周波数帯域と第３周波数帯域とで共用し、かつ第２アンテナを第２周波数帯域と第４周波数帯域とで共用している。つまり、第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域とを組み合わせるのではなく、マルチプレクサで信号を分離できる別の周波数帯域の組み合わせでアンテナを共用することによって、周波数帯域数の増加に対するアンテナ数の増加を抑えている。 At the same time, the first antenna is shared by the first frequency band and the third frequency band, and the second antenna is shared by the second frequency band and the fourth frequency band. In other words, instead of combining the first frequency band and the second frequency band, by sharing the antenna with another frequency band combination that can separate signals with a multiplexer, the increase in the number of antennas with respect to the increase in the number of frequency bands is suppressed. ing.

その結果、３ＧＨｚ以上の複数の周波数帯域を含むマルチバンドによる無線通信に用いられかつアンテナ数の増加を抑えた高周波回路が得られる。 As a result, a high-frequency circuit that is used for multi-band wireless communication including a plurality of frequency bands of 3 GHz or higher and that suppresses an increase in the number of antennas can be obtained.

また、前記第１周波数帯域は３３００ＭＨｚから４２００ＭＨｚであり、前記第２周波数帯域は４４００ＭＨｚから４９９０ＭＨｚであってもよい。 The first frequency band may be 3300 MHz to 4200 MHz, and the second frequency band may be 4400 MHz to 4990 MHz.

この構成によれば、具体的に、３ＧＰＰによって策定が進められているＮＲのサブ６のバンド群に適用される高周波回路が得られる。 According to this configuration, a high frequency circuit specifically applied to the sub 6 band group of NR, which is being developed by 3GPP, can be obtained.

また、前記第３フィルタは前記第１周波数帯域より低い第３周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、前記第４フィルタは前記第２周波数帯域より低い第４周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、前記第１周波数帯域が前記第２周波数帯域より低い場合に前記第３周波数帯域は前記第４周波数帯域より低くてもよい。 Further, the third filter includes a third frequency band lower than the first frequency band in the pass band, and the fourth filter includes a fourth frequency band lower than the second frequency band in the pass band, and the first frequency. When the band is lower than the second frequency band, the third frequency band may be lower than the fourth frequency band.

この構成によれば、第１周波数帯域と第２周波数帯域との組、および第３周波数帯域と第４周波数帯域との組の中から、より低い周波数帯域同士で第１アンテナを共用し、より高い周波数帯域同士で第２アンテナを共用している。 According to this configuration, the first antenna is shared between the lower frequency bands from the set of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the set of the third frequency band and the fourth frequency band, and more. The second antenna is shared between high frequency bands.

比較のため、前述とは逆の組み合わせで、第１アンテナを第１周波数帯域と第４周波数帯域とで共用し、かつ第２アンテナを第２周波数帯域と第３周波数帯域とで共用することを考える。この場合、第１アンテナで送受信される周波数帯域の間隙は縮小し、かつ第２アンテナで送受信される周波数帯域の全幅は拡大する。そのため、第１アンテナで送受信される信号の分離が難しくなるとともに、第２アンテナに広い周波数カバレッジが要求されることとなる。 For comparison, in the reverse combination of the above, the first antenna is shared by the first frequency band and the fourth frequency band, and the second antenna is shared by the second frequency band and the third frequency band. think. In this case, the gap of the frequency band transmitted / received by the first antenna is reduced, and the entire width of the frequency band transmitted / received by the second antenna is expanded. Therefore, it becomes difficult to separate the signals transmitted and received by the first antenna, and a wide frequency coverage is required for the second antenna.

これに対し、前述の組み合わせによれば、第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナの双方で送受信される周波数帯域の間隙が均等に広がるとともに全幅が均等に縮小するので、第１アンテナおよび第２アンテナの双方で信号の分離および周波数カバレッジを最適化できる。 On the other hand, according to the above-mentioned combination, since the gap of the frequency band transmitted and received by both the first antenna and the second antenna is uniformly widened and the entire width is uniformly reduced, both the first antenna and the second antenna are used. Can optimize signal isolation and frequency coverage.

また、前記第３周波数帯域は６１７ＭＨｚから９６０ＭＨｚであり、前記第４周波数帯域は２４００ＭＨｚから２５００ＭＨｚであってもよい。 Further, the third frequency band may be 617 MHz to 960 MHz, and the fourth frequency band may be 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz.

この構成によれば、具体的に、ＧＳＭ（登録商標）のローバンド群やＬＴＥのＢ８などに代表される１ＧＨｚ未満のバンド群、および無線ＬＡＮの２．４ＧＨｚ帯に適用される高周波回路が得られる。 According to this configuration, specifically, a low band group of GSM (registered trademark), a band group of less than 1 GHz represented by LTE B8, and a high frequency circuit applied to the 2.4 GHz band of wireless LAN can be obtained. ..

また、前記第３フィルタは第３周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、前記第１周波数帯域と前記第３周波数帯域との間隙は、前記第２周波数帯域と前記第３周波数帯域との間隙より広くてもよい。 Further, the third filter includes the third frequency band in the pass band, and the gap between the first frequency band and the third frequency band is wider than the gap between the second frequency band and the third frequency band. May be good.

この構成によれば、第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域のうち第３周波数帯域との間隙がより広い第１周波数帯域と第３周波数帯域との組み合わせで第１アンテナを共用している。これにより、間隙がより狭い第２周波数帯域と第３周波数帯域とを組み合わせる場合と比べて、周波数帯域の間隙がより広くなるので、信号の分離が容易になる。 According to this configuration, the first antenna is shared by the combination of the first frequency band and the third frequency band having a wider gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band and the third frequency band. As a result, the gap in the frequency band becomes wider as compared with the case where the second frequency band and the third frequency band having a narrower gap are combined, so that the signals can be easily separated.

また、前記第３周波数帯域は５１５０ＭＨｚから５９５０ＭＨｚであってもよい。 Further, the third frequency band may be 5150 MHz to 5950 MHz.

この構成によれば、具体的に、無線ＬＡＮの５ＧＨｚ帯およびＬＴＥのＢ４６に適用される高周波回路が得られる。 According to this configuration, specifically, a high frequency circuit applied to the 5 GHz band of wireless LAN and B46 of LTE can be obtained.

また、前記第４フィルタは第４周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、前記第４周波数帯域の上限は３ＧＨｚ未満であり、前記第４フィルタは弾性波フィルタで構成されていてもよい。 Further, the fourth filter includes the fourth frequency band in the pass band, the upper limit of the fourth frequency band is less than 3 GHz, and the fourth filter may be composed of an elastic wave filter.

この構成によれば、第４フィルタを弾性波フィルタで構成するので、例えば、第４フィルタに接続された別回路内の弾性波フィルタを第４フィルタで兼用し、高周波回路全体での部品点数の削減を図ることができる。 According to this configuration, since the fourth filter is composed of an elastic wave filter, for example, the elastic wave filter in another circuit connected to the fourth filter is also used as the fourth filter, and the number of parts in the entire high frequency circuit is increased. It can be reduced.

また、前記第４周波数帯域は１１６６ＭＨｚから１２２９ＭＨｚまたは１５５９ＭＨｚから１６０６ＭＨｚであってもよい。 Further, the fourth frequency band may be 1166 MHz to 1229 MHz or 1559 MHz to 1606 MHz.

この構成によれば、具体的に、ＧＰＳ（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ Ｐｏｓｉｔｉｏｎｉｎｇ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ）およびＧＬＯＮＡＳＳ（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ Ｎａｖｉｇａｔｉｏｎ Ｓａｔｅｌｌｉｔｅ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ）などの衛星測位システムに適用される高周波回路が得られる。 According to this configuration, specifically, a high frequency circuit applied to a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) can be obtained.

また、前記第１マルチプレクサおよび前記第２マルチプレクサのうち少なくとも一方に接続され、前記第１アンテナおよび前記第２アンテナのうち少なくとも一方のアンテナのアンテナ信号に対し、整合、増幅および送受信分離のうち少なくとも１以上を含む処理を行うフロントエンド回路を、さらに備えてもよい。 Further, at least one of matching, amplification, and transmission / reception separation is performed on the antenna signals of at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, which is connected to at least one of the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer. A front-end circuit that performs processing including the above may be further provided.

また、前記フロントエンド回路に接続され、前記アンテナ信号に対し、変調および復調のうち少なくとも一方を含む処理を行う高周波信号処理回路を、さらに備えてもよい。 Further, a high frequency signal processing circuit connected to the front-end circuit and performing processing including at least one of modulation and demodulation of the antenna signal may be further provided.

これらの構成によれば、フロントエンド回路および高周波信号処理回路を集約した高機能な高周波回路が得られる。 According to these configurations, a high-performance high-frequency circuit in which the front-end circuit and the high-frequency signal processing circuit are integrated can be obtained.

以上、本発明の実施の形態に係る高周波回路について説明したが、本発明は、個々の実施の形態には限定されない。本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない限り、当業者が思いつく各種変形を本実施の形態に施したものや、異なる実施の形態における構成要素を組み合わせて構築される形態も、本発明の一つ又は複数の態様の範囲内に含まれてもよい。 Although the high-frequency circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the individual embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, one or more of the present embodiments may be modified by those skilled in the art, or may be constructed by combining components in different embodiments. It may be included within the scope of the embodiment.

本発明は、３ＧＨｚ以上の複数の周波数帯域を含むマルチバンドによる無線通信に用いられる高周波回路として、携帯電話などの携帯端末装置に広く利用できる。 The present invention can be widely used in mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones as a high-frequency circuit used for multi-band wireless communication including a plurality of frequency bands of 3 GHz or higher.

１ 高周波回路
１１〜１８ アンテナ
２１〜２８ マルチプレクサ
３１〜４２ フロントエンド（ＦＥ）回路
５０ ＲＦ信号処理回路（ＲＦＩＣ）
１０１〜１０６ スイッチ
１１１、１１２ デュプレクサ
１３１〜１３４ パワーアンプ
１４１〜１４６ ローノイズアンプ 1 Radio Frequency Circuit 11-18 Antenna 21-28 Multiplexer 31-42 Front End (FE) Circuit 50 RF Signal Processing Circuit (RFIC)
101-106 switches 111, 112 Duplexer 131-134 Power amplifier 141-146 Low noise amplifier

Claims (11)

第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域を含むマルチバンドによる無線通信に用いられる高周波回路であって、
前記第１周波数帯域および前記第２周波数帯域はいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上でありかつ互いに重複せず、前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域との間隙は前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域とを合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下であり、
前記高周波回路は、
第１アンテナと、
第２アンテナと、
前記第１周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第１フィルタおよび前記第１フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第３フィルタを有し前記第１アンテナに接続されている第１マルチプレクサと、
前記第２周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第２フィルタおよび前記第２フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第４フィルタを有し前記第２アンテナに接続されている第２マルチプレクサと、
を備える高周波回路。 A high-frequency circuit used for multi-band wireless communication including a first frequency band and a second frequency band.
The first frequency band and the second frequency band are both 3 GHz or higher and do not overlap each other, and the gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band is the first frequency band and the second frequency band. It is 10% or less of the representative frequency including and
The high frequency circuit
With the first antenna
With the second antenna
A first filter including the first frequency band in the pass band and a first multiplexer having a third filter having a pass band different from that of the first filter and connected to the first antenna.
A second filter that includes the second frequency band in the pass band and a second multiplexer that has a fourth filter whose pass band is different from that of the second filter and is connected to the second antenna.
High frequency circuit with. 前記第１周波数帯域は３３００ＭＨｚから４２００ＭＨｚであり、前記第２周波数帯域は４４００ＭＨｚから４９９０ＭＨｚである、
請求項１に記載の高周波回路。 The first frequency band is 3300 MHz to 4200 MHz, and the second frequency band is 4400 MHz to 4990 MHz.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 1. 前記第３フィルタは前記第１周波数帯域より低い第３周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、前記第４フィルタは前記第２周波数帯域より低い第４周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、
前記第１周波数帯域が前記第２周波数帯域より低い場合に前記第３周波数帯域は前記第４周波数帯域より低い、
請求項１または２に記載の高周波回路。 The third filter includes a third frequency band lower than the first frequency band in the pass band, and the fourth filter includes a fourth frequency band lower than the second frequency band in the pass band.
When the first frequency band is lower than the second frequency band, the third frequency band is lower than the fourth frequency band.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 1 or 2. 前記第３周波数帯域は６１７ＭＨｚから９６０ＭＨｚであり、前記第４周波数帯域は２４００ＭＨｚから２５００ＭＨｚである、
請求項３に記載の高周波回路。 The third frequency band is 617 MHz to 960 MHz, and the fourth frequency band is 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 3. 前記第３フィルタは第３周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、
前記第１周波数帯域と前記第３周波数帯域との間隙は、前記第２周波数帯域と前記第３周波数帯域との間隙より広い、
請求項１または２に記載の高周波回路。 The third filter includes a third frequency band in the pass band.
The gap between the first frequency band and the third frequency band is wider than the gap between the second frequency band and the third frequency band.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 1 or 2. 前記第３周波数帯域は５１５０ＭＨｚから５９５０ＭＨｚである、
請求項５に記載の高周波回路。 The third frequency band is 5150 MHz to 5950 MHz.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 5. 前記第４フィルタは第４周波数帯域を通過帯域に含み、
前記第４周波数帯域の上限は３ＧＨｚ未満であり、
前記第４フィルタは弾性波フィルタで構成されている、
請求項１または２に記載の高周波回路。 The fourth filter includes the fourth frequency band in the pass band.
The upper limit of the fourth frequency band is less than 3 GHz.
The fourth filter is composed of an elastic wave filter.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 1 or 2. 前記第４周波数帯域は１１６６ＭＨｚから１２２９ＭＨｚまたは１５５９ＭＨｚから１６０６ＭＨｚである、
請求項７に記載の高周波回路。 The fourth frequency band is 1166 MHz to 1229 MHz or 1559 MHz to 1606 MHz.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 7. 前記第１マルチプレクサおよび前記第２マルチプレクサのうち少なくとも一方に接続され、前記第１アンテナおよび前記第２アンテナのうち少なくとも一方のアンテナのアンテナ信号に対し、整合、増幅および送受信分離のうち少なくとも１以上を含む処理を行うフロントエンド回路を、さらに備える、
請求項１から８の何れか１項に記載の高周波回路。 Connected to at least one of the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer, at least one of matching, amplification, and transmission / reception separation is performed on the antenna signal of at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna. Further equipped with a front-end circuit that performs processing including
The high frequency circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 前記フロントエンド回路に接続され、前記アンテナ信号に対し、変調および復調のうち少なくとも一方を含む処理を行う高周波信号処理回路を、さらに備える、
請求項９に記載の高周波回路。 A high-frequency signal processing circuit connected to the front-end circuit and performing processing including at least one of modulation and demodulation of the antenna signal is further provided.
The high frequency circuit according to claim 9. 第１周波数帯域および第２周波数帯域を含むマルチバンドによる無線通信に用いられる高周波回路であって、 A high-frequency circuit used for multi-band wireless communication including a first frequency band and a second frequency band.
前記第１周波数帯域および前記第２周波数帯域はいずれも３ＧＨｚ以上でありかつ互いに重複せず、前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域との間隙は前記第１周波数帯域と前記第２周波数帯域とを合わせた代表周波数の１０％以下であり、 The first frequency band and the second frequency band are both 3 GHz or higher and do not overlap each other, and the gap between the first frequency band and the second frequency band is the first frequency band and the second frequency band. It is 10% or less of the representative frequency including and
前記高周波回路は、 The high frequency circuit
第１アンテナと、 With the first antenna
第２アンテナと、 With the second antenna
前記第１周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第１フィルタおよび前記第１フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第３フィルタを有し、前記第２周波数帯域を通過帯域に含むフィルタを有さず、前記第１アンテナに接続されている第１マルチプレクサと、 The first filter having the first frequency band in the pass band and the third filter having a different pass band from the first filter, and not having the filter including the second frequency band in the pass band, the first filter. The first multiplexer connected to the antenna and
前記第２周波数帯域を通過帯域に含む第２フィルタおよび前記第２フィルタとは通過帯域が異なる第４フィルタを有し、前記第１周波数帯域を通過帯域に含むフィルタを有さず、前記第２アンテナに接続されている第２マルチプレクサと、 The second filter has a second filter including the second frequency band in the pass band and a fourth filter having a different pass band from the second filter, and does not have a filter including the first frequency band in the pass band. The second multiplexer connected to the antenna and
を備える高周波回路。 High frequency circuit with.
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